Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:11 AM AWST

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Support older people to maintain their independence

Support older people to maintain their independence

Unit of competency
National Code
CHCAC317A
State Code
D2201
TGA Status
Deleted
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
25/03/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/07/2014
Field of Education
090507 - Care For The Aged
Original Release Date
15/07/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the knowledge and skills required by the worker to support the older person to maintain their independence with activities of living
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Support the older person with their activities of living
  • 1.1 Encourage older people to utilise support services where appropriate
  • 1.2 Clearly explain the scope of the service to be provided to the older person and/or their advocate
  • 1.3 Identify the needs of the older person from the service delivery plan and from consultation with a supervisor
  • 1.4 Ensure visits and service delivery accommodate the older person's established routines and customs where possible
  • 1.5 Perform work in a manner that acknowledges that the services are being provided in the client's own home
  • 1.6 Provide services in a manner that enables the older person to direct the processes where appropriate
  • 1.7 Provide support/assistance in accordance with organisation policy, protocols and procedures
  • 1.8 Demonstrate appropriate use of equipment to support/assist the older person with activities of living within work role and responsibility
2. Recognise and report changes in an older person's ability to undertake activities of living
  • 2.1 Monitor the older person's activities and environment to identify increased need for support/assistance with activities of living
  • 2.2 Report to a supervisor the older person's inability to undertake activities of living independently
  • 2.3 Support/assist the older person to modify or adapt the environment or activity to facilitate independence
  • 2.4 Seek aids and/or equipment to support/assist the older person undertake activities of living independently
3. Support the older person to maintain an environment that maximises independence, safety and security
  • 3.1 Encourage and support/assist the older person to maintain their environment
  • 3.2 Provide support to promote security of the older person's environment
  • 3.3 Adapt or modify the environment, in consultation with the older person, to maximise safety and comfort
  • 3.4 Recognise hazards and address in accordance with organisation policy and protocols
4. Support the older person who is experiencing loss and grief
  • 4.1 Recognise signs that older person is experiencing grief and report to appropriate person
  • 4.2 Use appropriate communication strategies when older person is expressing their fears and other emotions associated with loss and grief
  • 4.3 Provide older person and/or their support network with information regarding relevant support services as required
RANGE STATEMENT

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.


Older people may include:
Individuals living in residential aged care environments
Individuals living in the community


Contexts may include:
The older person's own dwelling
Independent living accommodation
Residential aged care facilities


Activities of living may include:
Home maintenance
Garden maintenance
Transport and attendance at appointments and social and recreational activities
Domestic cleaning
Domestic laundry
Meal preparation
Shopping
Attendance to financial matters and personal correspondence
Pet care


Report may be and include:
Verbal:
telephone
face-to-face
Non-verbal (written):
progress reports
case notes
incident reports


Aids and/or equipment may include:
Domestic appliances utilised for cleaning, laundering and meal preparation
Gardening equipment
Personal and security alarms
Mobility devices


Hazards may include:
Poor or inappropriate lighting
Slippery or uneven floor surfaces
Physical obstructions (e.g. furniture and equipment)
Poor home and domestic appliance maintenance
Inadequate heating and cooling devices
Inappropriate footwear and clothing
EVIDENCE GUIDE

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
This unit will be most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions
It is recommended that assessment or information for assessment will be conducted or gathered over a period of time and cover the normal range of workplace situations and settings
Where, for reasons of safety, space, or access to equipment and resources, assessment takes place away from the workplace, the assessment environment should represent workplace conditions as closely as possible


Access and equity considerations:
All workers in community services should be aware of access, equity and human rights issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities


Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged
Resources required for assessment include access to:
appropriate workplace where assessment can take place
relevant organisation policy, protocols and procedures
equipment and resources normally used in the workplace


Method of assessment may include:
Observation in the workplace
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario analysis
Questioning
Role play simulation
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
S2951 CHCAC17A Support the older person to maintain their independence Unit of competency